Method of burning fuel and apparatus therefor



R. F. METCALFE. l METHOD 0F BURNING FUEL ANU APPARATUS THEREFOA.

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ROBERT F. METCALFEVOF ERIE, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIG-NOR TO SKINNER ENGINE COMPANY, 0F ERIE, PENNSYLVANIA, A. GORIORATION 0F PENNSYLVANIA.

METHOD OF BURNING FUEL AAND APPARATUS lIHEIELEIE0R.

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Specification of Letters Patent.

Application led September 27, 1920. Serial No.` 413,030.

` To aZZ wlw/m. it may concern:

Be it known that I, ROBERT F. METCALFE,

a citizen of the United States, residing at` Erie, in the county of Erie and State of Pennsylvania, have invented new and useful Improvements in the Methods of Burning Fuel and Apparatus Therefor, of which the following is a specification.

By this invention fuel is consumed producing what is known as a white flame and the fuel can be completely consumed in a veryshort flame so that no soot or deposit resultsin an ordinary installation. The fuel is further completely consumed so as to produce a maximum of heat with a given quantity of fuel and at the same time `large quantitles of fuel are burned in small space.' This is very desirable in many installations. In carrying out my invention in the preferred manner I first spray the fuel into a vaporizing chamber and supply air for a' partial combustion. The air introduced is only suiicient to consume enough of the vfuel in this chamber to -completely vaporize .the fuel and to heat the mixture. The resultant product is then expelled from the vaporizing chamber to the main mixing chamber and here mixed with air, which air is introduced in a large volume but at a comparatively low velocity and in quantities to afford a complete combustion. The result is y followi'n a white lameand by reason. of the heated condition'of the gases and the warming of the air mixed therewith. a comparatively short flame is produced even where alarge quantity of fuel is burned and if the burner is used in connection with comparatively cold surfaces, such as boilers, no soot or other deposit results. The system also ,permits of the burning of a large quantity of fuel very eiiiciently and with practically no noise. v

I have illustrated the apparatus forming the subject matter of the invention and by which the process may be performed in the drawing showing the apparatus with,` the urner in section.

1- marks the flame' nozzle, 2 the mixing chamber from which the flame nozzle leads,

the vaporizing chamber is extended by i means of a ange 6 to form the upper edge of the nozzle l. The vaporizing chamber is mounted on a base 7, the lower end of the chamber being provided with a ange 4n which is secured to the base 7.

Fuel, ordinarily kerosene or hydrocarbon, is delivered through a. jet 8 and this is sprayed by means of an air jet 9 through an opening 9a. The mixture is ignited. 'by an electric spark 10. A- -deiecting cup-shaped plate 11 is arranged in the bottom of the vaporizing chamber 3 and the sprayed fuel is carried through this baile or cup into the vaporizing chamber. Supplemental air is admitted through an opening 'l2 between the flange 4a and the base 7 and enters the vaporizing chamber through a small slot between the uppervedge of the bafle 11 and the walls of the chamber 3.

The size of the opening 12 is so regulated as to supply just sufli'cient air to burn such a portion of the fuel as will completely vaporize the fuel in the vaporizing chamber and in addition this partial combustion in .the vaporizing chamber heats the mixture.-

The resultant product issues from the openings:4 in the form of a highly heated gas slightly diluted by the gases which are consumed in the vaporizing chamber.

I prefer to mix the additional air to complete combustion with' V these heated gases in a mixing chamber' and give the air,v a slight preliminary heating while'so coniining the air as to be assured of av complete mixture preliminary to the delivery to the flame nozzle. An air delivery chamber 13 surrounds the mixing chamber 2. The outer wall 15 of the chamber 13 has a downwardly extending lip or bale 14 which .This wall, it will be understood,l d'ue to the' burning of mixture within the vaporizing chamber is maintained at an incandescent temperature and in consequence the air is heated as it enters the mixing chamber and the slight confinement of the air with the gases through the restriction at 'the flame nozzle assures a complete mixture so that the combustion is completed within a comparatively short distance from the flame nozzle. The flame produced is a white flame and the burning is accomplished with very little noise even where large quantities of fuel are consumed. A very high efficiency is also attained in the consumption of fuel.

It will be understood that in order tov get the right fuel and air delivery for the proper spraying into the vaporizing chamber the air and fuel through the liets 8 and 9 should be properly controlled. This is well understood and while wide ranges of pressure on the air and fuel may be used I have found that a pressure of twenty pounds is very satisfactory. In order to burn just sufficient fuel t0 accomplish the full vaporization the amount of air through the opening 12 should b e considered. I have found that with a vaporizing chamber of four inches in diameter an opening between the base and bottom of the wall of the vaporizing chamber of approximately one-eighth of an inch will give the proper air opening for this partial combustion. I have also found that a flame nozzle approximately one inch wide and` ten inches vin diameter with the parts in approximately the proportions shown will give very satisfactory results.

Fuel and air are delivered from a tank 16, the fuel being delivered to the tank through a pipe 17 fr om a pump 18. Fuel is delivered to the pump through a pipe 19 from any convenient source of supply. pump plunger 2O is connected by a link 21 and pin 21a with a connecting rod 22. The

Iconnecting rod operates on a crank 23, the

crank being formed in a shaft 24. A drive pulley 25 is mounted on the shaft 24 and is driven through a belt 26 from a pulley 27. The pulley 27 is driven by a motor 28. A float 29 is arr-armed in the chamber 16 and i mounted on an arm 30, the arm being pivoted at 31 at the wall of the tank. A valve 32v is carried by the arm 30 and controls an over-flow passage, the over-flow being connected by way of a pipe 33 with the pipe 19.

-The pump will ordinarily supply an excess of fuel and this excess will overflow or bypass through the pipe 33 to the pipe 19; thus maintaining a constant level in the tank 16.

An air pump 34 is provided with a plunger 35 and this plunger 35 is connected by a pin 36 with the connecting rod 22 so that it is operated with the oil pump. The pump discharges air by way of the pipe 37 to the tank 16. The. excess of air is discharged through a loaded valve 16a.

A pipe 38 leads from below the fuel level in the tank 16 to the jet 8. The pipe is provided with a valve 39 by which the flow to the jet may be controlled. A pipe 40 leads from above the fuel level to thel air jet 9. A valve 41 is provided for controlling the air supply pipe.

A fan 42 is driven from the motor 28 and delivers air through a pipe 43 to the alrchamber 13. The air is delivered at very low velocity and very low pressure so that very little power is required to deliver the requisite quantity of air. Electric current is supplied through the conductors 44 for driving the motor 28` the switch 45 controlling this circuit. Tires 46 lead from the conductors 44 to a spark coil 48 and wires 49 and 50 lead from the coil to the spark points 10. A switch 47 is provided for controlling the circuit through the wires 46.

What I claim as new is 1. The method of burning fuel which consists in delivering fuel and air to a chamber with the air deficient to consume the greater portion of the fuel; burning fuel in the chamber t0 vaporize vthe unconsumed fuel; expelling the resultant gases; and supplying air to complete the combustion of the expelled gases.

2. The method of burning fuel which consists in delivering fuel and air to a chamber with the air deficient to consume the greater portion of the fuel; burning fuel in the chamber to vaporize the unconsumed fuel; expelling the resultant gases; and supplying heated air to complete the combustion of the expelled gases.

.3. The method of'burning fuel which con# sists in delivering fuel and air to a chamber with the air deficient to consume the greater A portion of the fuel; burning fuel in the chamber to vaporize the unconsumed fuel; expelling the resultant gases; and supplying air in large volume but low velocity to A complete I the combustion of the expelled gases.

4. The method of burning fuel which consists in delivering fuel and air to a chamber with the air deficient to consume the greater portion of the fuel; burning fuel in the chamber to vaporize the unconsumed fuel; expelling the resultant gases into a mixing chamber; and introducing air to the mixing chamber to continue the combustion.

5. The method ofburning fuel which consists in delivering fuel and air to a chamber with the air deficient to consume the greater portion of the fuel; burning fuel in the Achamber to vaporize the unconsumed fuel;

expelling the resultant gases into a mixing chamber; and introducing heated air to the mixing. chamber to continue the combustion.

6. The method of burning fuel which consists in delivering fuel and air to a chamber- With the air deficient to consume the greater portion` of the fuel; burning fuel in the chamberto vaporize the unconsumed fuel;

expelling the resultant gases into'a mixingchamber; :and introducing air of lowsvelocity and large volume to the mixing chamber to continue the combustion. i

-7. The method of burning fuel whi' h consists in spraying li'quid fuel by means of air into a vaporizing chamber; supplying suf- .fcientjairto support combustion suflicient to producevheat in the vaporizing,chamberto vaporize the remaining fuel; expelling the resultant gases from the vaporizingchamber; and supplying air to Vthegases to complete the combustion.

8. The method of burning fuel which consists in spraying liquid fuel by means ofy air into a vaporizing chamber; supplyin sufficient air Vto support combustion suv cient to produce heat in the vaporizing chamber to Vaporize the remaining fuel; expelling the resultant gases from the vaporizing chamber; and supplying heated air to the gases to complete the'combustion.

9. The method of burning fuel which consists in spraying liquid fuel by means of air into a vaporizing chamber; supplying sufficient i air to support combustion sufficient to produce heat in the vaporizing chamber to vaporize the remaining fuel; expelling the resultant gases from the yaporizing chamber; and supplying air of low yelocity and large `volume to. complete the combustionL ,10. In a burner, the combination of a va-- orizing chamber; means for introducing nel and vair to the chamber with the` air deficient for combustion; a mixing chamber into which the resultant gases from the vaporizing chamber are discharged; means for introducing air tothe mixing chamber; and a flame nozzle leading from the mixing f chamber.

11; In a burner, the combination of a vaporizing chamber; means for spraying fuel into lthe vaporizing chamber comprising an air jet and afuel jet; means for supplying air. to the vaporizing chamber in lquantities, deficiit for combustion; a mixing chamber into which the resultant gases are discharged; means for introducing air to the mixing chamber; and a flame nozzle leading from the mixing chamber.

12. In a burner, the combination of a Vaporizing chamber.; means for spraylng fuel into said vaporizing chamber comprising a fuel jet and an air jet; means for supplying additional air to the vaporizing chamberbut in quantities insufficient tor consume the fuel; a mixing chamber into which the resultant gases are expelled; means forsupplying air to complete combustion to the mixing chamber; and a flame nozzle leading from the mixing chamber.

13. In a burner, the combination of a vaporizing chamber; means for spraying fuel and air into said vaporizing chamber comprising a fuel jet and an air jet; means for introducing an additional supply'of air to the vaporizing chamber, said means introducing said air adjacent to theI wlls of the chamber; a mixing chamber into which the resultant gases are expelled; means;v for supplying air to the mixing chamber; and a game nozzle leading from the mixing cham- 14.' In a burner, the combination of a vaporizing chamber; means for spraying fuel into the vaporizing chamber comprising a fuel jet and an air jet; a cup-shaped baffle within the vaporizinY chamber, the wall of the cup-'shaped ba' e being spaced from the wallsof the vaporizing chamber; means for delivering air between the baffle and the walls of the vaporizing chamber in quantities insufficient to consume the `fuel 1n the vaporizing chamber; a mixing chamber into which the resultant gases are discharged; means for supplying air to the mixing chamber; and a flame nozzle leading from the mixing chamber.

15. In a burner, the combination of a Vaorizing chamber; means for introducing uel and air to the vaporizing chamber with the air deficient for combustion; la mixing chamber around the vaporizing chamber into which the resultant gases are discharged; means for introducing air to the mixing chamber, said means directing the air into contact with the walls of the vaporizing chamber; and a flame nozzle leading from the mixing chamber.

16. Ina burner, the combination of a vaporizing chamber; means for introducing` fuel and air to the vaporizing chamber with the air deficient for combustion; a mixing chamber surrounding the vaporizing chamber into which the resultant gases are discharged; an air chamber surrounding the mixing chamber and discharging to the mixing chamber; and a flame nozzle leading from the mixing chamber. s

17. In a burner, the combination of a vaporizing chamber; means for delivering fuel and air to the chamber with the air decient to complete combustion; a mixing chamber into which the resultant gases are discharged; an air chamber surrounding the mixing chamber; a bale lip extending from the air chamber formingthe outer wall of the mixing chamber; a baffle between the lip and the wall of the air chamber; and a deflecting plate over the baffle plate forming between said lip and the bafile plate a fiame nozzle. A

18. In a burner, the combination of a yaporizing chamber; air and fuel jets leading to the vaporizing chamber; a mixing chamcharged; an air conduit leading to the mixing chamber;` a rotary fan delivering air` ing chamber; and arotary fan delivering air to the air conduit; pumps for delivering air i0 to the air conduit. Q and uel to the jets; and a common motor 19. In a burner, the combination of a vafor actuating said pumps and fan.

5 porizing chamber; air and fuel jets leading In testimony whereof I have hereunto set to the vaporizing chamberga mixing chammy hand. ber into which the resultant gases are discharged; an air conduit leading to the miX- ROBERT F. M'E'ICALFE. 

